BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2015)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: CARRIE WATSON GASAWAY, BPR #18746
CONTACT: A. RUSSELL WILLIS
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
October 6, 2015
MONTGOMERY COUNTY ATTORNEY DISBARRED
On October 5, 2015, the Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred Carrie Watson Gasaway from the practice
of law and ordered restitution paid to six (6) former clients. On September 9, 2014, the Board of Professional
Responsibility filed two separate Petitions for Discipline against Ms. Gasaway, and thereafter, Supplemental
Petitions for Discipline were filed in both actions. Ms. Gasaway was suspended from the practice of law on
May 15, 2015, after being convicted of extortion in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-112,
and a separate Petition for Final Discipline was filed on May 22, 2015. In addition to the formal petitions, eight
(8) disciplinary complaints containing allegations similar to those set forth in the Petitions for Discipline were
under investigation by the Board. Pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 24 (2014), Ms.
Gasaway entered a Conditional Guilty Plea admitting to the misconduct alleged in the formal petitions and the
disciplinary complaints pending before the Board.
Ms. Gasaway engaged in extortion; theft of client money from trust; charged unreasonable fees;
provided incompetent representation; filed meritless claims; failed to perform professional services; failed to
provide diligent representation; failed to refund unearned fees; made false statements of fact and failed to
disclose material facts to a tribunal; threatened criminal prosecution to obtain an advantage in a civil
proceeding; failed to properly supervise her co-counsel and knowingly ratified his misconduct; failed to report
the professional misconduct of co-counsel and partner and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, deceit and
misrepresentations.
Ms. Gasawayâs conduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence); 1.3 (diligence); 1.4
(communication); 1.5 (fees); 1.15 (safekeeping property and funds); 3.1 (meritorious claims and contentions);
3.2 (expediting litigation); 3.3 (candor toward the tribunal); 4.4 (respect for the rights of third persons); 5.1
(responsibilities of partners, managers and supervisory lawyers); 5.3 (responsibilities regarding non-lawyer
assistants); 1.16 (terminating representation); 8.1 (bar admission and disciplinary matters); 8.3 (reporting
professional misconduct) and 8.4 (misconduct).
Ms. Gasaway must comply with the requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 18
(2006) and Sections 28 and 30 (2014), regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys.
Gasaway 2366-6; 2367-6; 2451-6 rel.doc